Latest News – Page 11

May 12, 2026 13:00

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Crew Meal Survey now open, survey will close on Tuesday, May 26 at Noon PT

Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) recognizes that nutrition plays a vital role in supporting the well-being and performance of Flight Attendants during the workday. Crew meals can be a component of proper nutrition.

The JNC is committed to ensuring that Flight Attendants receive appropriate meals, especially on longer international routes. The JNC is entrusted with advocating for your interests. To do that effectively, your input is essential.

Please make your voice heard! We invite you to participate in our Crew Meal Survey. The survey is currently open and will close on Tuesday, May 26 at Noon PT. Take a moment to click the survey link and share your thoughts, so the JNC can accurately understand how you feel crew meals could factor into your nutrition plan and better represent your interests.

To Access the Survey

For pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants, enter your PeopleSoft Number
For pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants, enter your Employee Number (without leading zeros)

Some important notes:

Once the survey is submitted, your responses cannot be edited. Please ensure your selections are final before hitting ‘Submit’.

We encourage you to take the time to participate; an informed and engaged membership is our strongest asset during these negotiations. Thank you for your continued commitment to our collective success. If you have any questions about the survey, please reach out to the JNC at jnc@afaalaska.org.

May 11, 2026 20:00

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with drugs or alcohol, it’s important to know that you are not alone, and support is available. Flight Attendants have treatment options designed to address the unique realities of this career.

Note: This video references FAAS (Flight Attendant Addiction Support), which is a program for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants. Pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants have similar support contained in the collective bargaining agreement.

Click here to watch on YouTube ➔

FADAP (Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program)

FADAP is a peer-driven, completely confidential program offered through AFA. Your Local Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee can connect you with approved treatment centers that understand Flight Attendant schedules and the specific demands of our job. Treatment costs are handled through your personal insurance.

FAAS (Flight Attendant Addiction Support) – Pre-Merger Alaska

FAAS is a newer partnership between AFA and Alaska Airlines for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants that provides structured support and a pathway to return to work based on your recovery and documentation. This program offers three distinct pathways depending on your situation:

Pathway One: For those who come forward early and proactively. This option is fully paid for by Alaska Airlines.
Pathway Two: For situations involving layover misconduct. This option is also paid for by Alaska Airlines.
Pathway Three: For situations involving a positive DOT test. In this case, the Flight Attendant is responsible for treatment costs.

Similarly, pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants have support for treatment, rehabilitation, and, whenever possible, return to duty under section 20.I.4, 5, and 6 of the collective bargaining agreement.

Take the First Step

If you or a Flight Attendant you know is struggling, please reach out for a confidential conversation. You can contact your Local EAP/Professional Standards Committee or explore additional resources online:

FADAP Information: Visit fadap.org.
FAAS Information (pmAS): Find more on the Inflight website under the Administration section.
Call Us: Call us anytime for support at (949) 470-0493 or (800) 424-2406

May 10, 2026 16:30

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Mother’s Day has a special, personal meaning for each of us. The lifelong bonds we share with our mothers lay the foundation of our ability to love and to express compassion and empathy throughout our lives. Oftentimes, our mothers have been our best examples of self-sacrifice, strength, and resilience in our lives. Regardless of our age or status, there will always be a part of us, our inner child, that will remain connected to our mothers like no one else. We are blessed for all that our mothers have given us, and we have the good fortune to work alongside so many wonderful moms at Hawaiian Airlines. Thank you for all that you are and do – this day is for you!

Happy Mother’s Day!
Martin Gusman & Kela Chong

Important Rules Regarding Turns

Here are a few important rules to know about operating a turn, particularly if your scheduled duty period is over 14 hours:

Augmented Crew: In order for a crew to be scheduled over 14 hours, the crew needs to be augmented with an additional Flight Attendant, which then allows the crew to be scheduled up to 16 hours on duty. Once an augmented crew has reported for duty, they may actually work up to 18 hours. Please note that an augmented crew is not the same as an ER flight with a 10^th Flight Attendant. An ER flight with a 10^th FA for crew-to-load staffing is still a standard crew.
Crew Rest Seats: In order for a crew to operate the flight as an augmented crew, designated crew rest seats or the LDMCR must be provided or be available. On the A321 the crew rest seats are 45 GHJ, and on the A330, the LDMCR is used for crew rest. If the LDMCR is not available for use, rows 45 and 46 CEG must be provided as crew rest seats. Again, without the crew rest seats or an available LDMCR the crew is treated as a standard crew.
Exceeding Actual On-Duty Limits: If your turn is delayed during the day of operation, you have the option to exceed the actual on-duty limit by contacting Crew Scheduling (as provided by Section 7.F.2.b. of the contract on page 7-22). When calculating your projected duty time, be sure to use the scheduled bid packet block time (as provided by Section 7.F.2.c. of the contract on page 7-23). CrewTrac or any related scheduling app will show an updated plan time for the flight, which will often be reduced. Crew Scheduling is required to show the updated plan time, but we use scheduled bid packet block time when calculating our duty time.

LQ Premium Pay Errors

It has come to our attention that there may be a systemic problem with the way language-qualified premiums are being paid by the company. Although the premiums for Lead-qualified Flight Attendants are slightly more complicated due to the variables of the position the Flight Attendant is working and the cabin in which they are working, there are errors that cannot be explained. We are in the process of scheduling a meeting with Crew Scheduling and Crew Payroll to get this resolved as quickly as possible.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month – a month-long celebration that recognizes and acknowledges the history, culture, achievements and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to American society. In recognition and celebration of AAPI month, AFA offers AAPI pins for you to proudly wear on your uniform. Ask one of your Local Officers (or email us at hnl@afahawaiian.org ) for a pin.

Council 43 Elections

This is a friendly reminder that the Alaska-Hawaiian Council 43 elections have begun. Local Council Officers will need to be elected for the term beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029, as provided by the AFA-CWA Constitution & Bylaws.

Voting notices with credentials to access the electronic ballot were mailed on April 30, 2026, and voting began on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. If you did not receive a voting notice and guide in the mail, please complete this Activation Code Request form to obtain a new 16-digit activation code. Once your account is reviewed by AFA Membership Services, a new single-use activation code will be sent via the balloting system to the personal email address you provide. Please note that only members in good standing will be allowed to vote in the election. You may check your membership standing by going to the AFA Membership Hub.

AFA elections are governed by procedures outlined in the Association’s Constitution & Bylaws, Article VIII and the AFA Policy Manual. For more information, please visit afacwa-elections.org.

Updated Council 43 Committee Roster

Our Council 43 Roster has been updated and moved to its new home at the Alaska-Hawaiian AFA website (afaalaska.org), and may be found on the HNL Council 43 Committee page (https://afaalaska.org/hnl/committees). Please bookmark the page for future reference. In addition you’ll find our 2025 Contract Extension as well as the 2025 SEA Domicile LOA.

May 10, 2026 07:00

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Introducing Your Newly Elected Committee Members

Aloha Council 47 Flight Attendants,

Last week, your Council 47 Officers conducted interviews for several local committee and chair vacancies. We were incredibly encouraged to see so many members step forward with a willingness to support both the work of our union and the members of Council 47.

After careful consideration and discussion, we are pleased to announce that the following vacancies have been filled effective immediately:

Committee	Position	Elected
EAP	Co-Chair (SEA Focus)	Lea Hutchinson
EAP	Committee (SEA Focus)	Alamoni Copney Malia Kaleopa’a Kahea Ching
Grievance	Committee (SEA Focus)	Patrick Smith
Hotel	Chair (LAX/SEA)	Le’a Tupola
Reserve	Co-Chairs (LAX/SEA)	Zachary M Rajkovacz Megan Moore

Throughout May and June, we will be working to onboard our newly selected volunteers administratively and connect them with their counterparts throughout AFA, at our other domiciles, and with company contacts relevant to their committee work.

Below is a complete list of our current Council 47 committees, chairs, and newly added volunteers.

** Please note that all committee members are available to assist members in both LAX and SEA. The domicile listed for each volunteer simply identifies their primary area of committee focus.

Committee
EAP	CHAIRS: Milo Penarubia (LAX) Lea Hutchinson (SEA) COMMITTEE: Tracy Thompson (LAX) Beverly Rezzara-Mendoza (LAX) Alamoni Copney (SEA) Malia Kaleopa’a (SEA) Kahea Ching (SEA)
Grievance	CHAIR: Melissa Teshima (LAX/SEA) COMMITTEE: Joshua Aoki (LAX/SEA) Paul Ikioka (LAX/SEA) Beth Hayes (LAX/SEA) Gary Mano’i (LAX/SEA) Patrick Smith (LAX/SEA)
Government Affairs	CHAIR: Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX/SEA)
Hotel	CHAIR: Le’a Tupola (LAX/SEA)
Human Rights and Equity	CHAIR: Bruni Agosto-Pinal (LAX/SEA)
Reserve	CHAIRS: Zachary M Rajkovacz (LAX/SEA) Megan Moore (LAX/SEA)
Air Safety, Heath and Security	CHAIR: Kahea Alvarez (LAX/SEA)
Inflight Service	CHAIR: Gary Mano’i (LAX/SEA)
Uniform	CHAIR: Melissa Teshima (LAX/SEA)

May 8, 2026 17:00

In This Edition

AFA Committee Focus Month: EAP/Professional Standards Committee
System Board of Adjustment Interviews – June 2026
Grievance Committee Update – 2nd Quarter 2026
Go In-Depth with Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairpersons
Shared on Social
Next Week’s Events

AFA Committee Focus Month: EAP/Professional Standards

Originally posted May 4, 2026

This May, we’re proud to highlight our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee, your confidential, peer-based support network run by fellow Flight Attendants—not management. Discover how the Committee supports your well-being in all aspects of our profession, on and off the job, and learn about the extensive resources available to you.

Read More >

System Board of Adjustment Interviews – June 2026

Originally posted May 4, 2026 | Pre-Merger Alaska

Our Master Executive Council is seeking an Alaska Flight Attendant to join the System Board of Adjustment, where you’ll play a crucial role in arbitrating disputes and upholding our collective bargaining agreement. If you’re passionate about advocating for your fellow Members and possess a deep understanding of our contract, read on for details on how to express interest.

Read More >

Grievance Committee Update – 2nd Quarter 2026

Originally posted May 5, 2026 | Pre-Merger Alaska

Our pre-merger Alaska Grievance Committee’s latest update provides information on your contractual rights and the current disciplinary climate at Alaska Airlines. A recent spike in terminations, particularly around sick leave, theft, Reserve Availability Period (RAP) violations, and social media activity highlights the importance of knowing your rights and responsibilities to protect yourself.

Read More >

Go In-Depth with Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairpersons

Originally posted May 8, 2026

Building on this week’s introduction to our EAP/Professional Standards Committee, we’re excited to share a video that offers a more in-depth look at what makes the Committee an invaluable resource for Flight Attendants. Learn more from pre-merger Alaska MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson Melanie Buker and Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Dillon as they share insights into the Committee’s work and its impact.

Read More >

Shared on Social

Check out this week’s highlights from our social media! Click on a graphic below to view the original post on Instagram. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and news as we share it!

Originally posted May 5, 2026

Originally posted May 6, 2026

Next Week’s Events

Monday, May 11	Monthly Hotel Committee Meeting
Friday, May 15	LEC Officer Elections: Council 19 (SEA pmAS) Polls Close @ 12 PM PT

See the MEC Event Calendar >

May 8, 2026 12:00

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

This is a reminder that we are still collecting responses for the Flat Rate Data Form regarding the dispute over the proof of relocation requirement tied to the Flat Rate moving expense outlined in Section 5.B.2. of our contract.

If you transferred between LAX and HNL and utilized the flat rate moving expense option, we ask that you please take a few moments to complete the form if you have not already done so.

Even if you did not experience any issues with your moving pay, your response is still important. Gathering a broad range of experiences helps strengthen our advocacy and provides a more complete picture as this grievance moves through the System Board process, mediation, and possible arbitration.

Click here to fill out the Flat Rate Data Form

Mahalo to everyone who has already participated and for your continued support.

In Solidarity,
pm-Hawaiian MEC Grievance Committee
grievance@afahawaiian.org

May 8, 2026 09:48

We are halfway through the voting period for our local council election, and voting will close at 12pm PT on May 15. Voting notices with your activation code and voting instructions were mailed to the address you had on file on PeopleSoft on April 28. In order to vote, you must be an active member in good-standing. You can check your standing on the AFA Membership Hub.

Please Note: You must cast your vote for all positions at one time. Due to Department of Labor guidelines, you may not re-vote or update your vote once your ballot is cast. Please make sure you have all your choices ready before voting. Local Council Officers to be elected will be LEC President, LEC Vice-President, LEC Secretary, and 2 LEC Council Representatives.

Step-by-Step Voting Guide

Membership Hub

Need a New Activation Code?

If you didn’t receive your voting notice in the mail, you can request a new activation code through the link below. When filling out the Airline field, we are Alaska Airlines Council 19. Replacement codes are sent to your personal email address on file and will invalidate all previous activation codes. Please be sure to check your inbox and spam folder.

Activation Code Request

Vote

Candidates for Office

LEC President:

Timothy Christian-Brookshire
Paula Isla-McGill
Jarod McNeill
Kelle Wells

LEC Vice-President:

Ian Haywood
Melinda Jorge Henderson
Martin Monteblanco

LEC Secretary:

Adam Clarey
Jamie Cogen

LEC Council Representative (2 positions):

Brittney Jenkins
Kiersten Larson
Jerika Semykozov
Andrew Stinson

Get Out the Vote

Help us raise awareness about the election and encourage your fellow SEA-based Alaska Flight Attendants to vote! We have created frames for your social media profile pictures so you can show your Union pride in participating in our local election and inspire others to do the same! Feel free to download the frames and apply them to you profile picture. If you need help, you can email a profile picture you wish to use to sea.engagement.vice@afaalaska.org to get a frame added. Thank you for taking an active role in our Union and making your voices heard!

May 8, 2026 09:00

As we wrap up the first week of EAP/Professional Standards Committee Focus Month, we’re excited to share an open conversation that takes you behind the scenes of our support network built for Flight Attendants.

MEC Communications Committee Chairperson Brian Palmer recently sat down with pre-merger Alaska MEC EAP/Professional Standards Committee Chairperson Melanie Buker and Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Dillon to discuss the heart of the Committee and how it serves as a confidential, peer-based resource for all Flight Attendants.

Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee is a comprehensive support system, made up of fellow Flight Attendants (not management), here to help you across your personal and professional life:

EAP (Employee Assistance Program): Confidential support for personal assistance, mental health and well-being, substance use concerns, and life changes.
CIRP (Critical Incident Response Program): Timely emotional first aid from specially trained peers after serious events.
Professional Standards: Confidential, peer-to-peer intervention to informally resolve workplace conflicts and promote professional conduct without involving management or risking discipline.

This video is a great way to see how these three programs come together to support you—both at work and beyond. Take a few minutes to watch the interview and see how this support network is working for you:

Watch The Video On YouTube ➔

Our AFA EAP/Professional Standards Committee is always here for you—whenever you need support. Save our 24/7 confidential phone number and don’t hesitate to reach out.

24/7 Contact Information

Phone: (949) 470-0493 or (800) 424-2406
Email: eap@afaalaska.org
Learn More: afaalaska.org/eap

May 8, 2026 07:00

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Seattle Based Flight Attendants

SCR Form Technical Issue – SEA Domicile Selection

Aloha Seattle Flight Attendants,

It has come to our attention that the Scheduling Clarification (SCR) form currently does not include SEA as a selectable domicile option in the drop-down menu. The company has been made aware of the issue and is actively working on a resolution.

In the meantime, please select LAX as your domicile when submitting an SCR. These submissions will be routed to the Council 47 grievance representatives, who cover both LAX and SEA.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this technical issue. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Mahalo,

Josh, Paul and Beth
Council 47 Officers LAX/SEA
47@afahawaiian.org

May 7, 2026 07:00

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants

Officer Update – May 7, 2026

Aloha Los Angeles and Seattle Flight Attendants,

Here are a few updates and reminders we wanted to share with everyone. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Council 47 Officers with any questions, concerns, or feedback.

AANHPI Heritage Month
Council 47 Chairs and Volunteers
Voter Registration & Information
Segment Drops Into Open Time
Language Testing
HNL Officer Elections
Jumpseating at International Destinations
The Importance Email

Mahalo,

Josh Aoki — LEC President
Paul Ikioka — LEC Vice President
Beth Hayes — LEC Secretary
47@afahawaiian.org

LAX PULSE FORM
SEA PULSE FORM

AANHPI Heritage Month

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. As Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants, this month holds special meaning for many of us, as the cultures and traditions of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities are deeply woven into the identity and spirit of our airline. From the aloha we share with our guests to the diverse backgrounds of our crews, these cultures continue to shape who we are both in the workplace and in our union ‘ohana. This month, we celebrate and recognize the many AANHPI Flight Attendants and communities that make our airline so special.

Did you know that AFA created the AANHPI pin with Hawaiian Airlines very much in mind? Many of the colors and design references were inspired by our brand, and you can even see traces of Pualani reflected in it. It’s something we should be proud to wear, not only as a union pin, but also as a symbol that reflects part of our airline’s culture and identity.

A limited number of pins will be available in both the LAX and SEA lounges. Please only take one per Flight Attendant, as these pins are purchased through the local council budget. As a reminder, uniform standards allow Flight Attendants to wear a union pin above their wings or nametag regardless of which branded uniform is being worn.

Council 47 Chairs and Volunteers

Throughout this week, Council 47 Officers have been conducting interviews for local chair and committee vacancies. Selections will be made on May 10 and will be communicated to the membership shortly thereafter.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who put their name forward and expressed a willingness to serve the members of Los Angeles and Seattle. The continued growth and success of our union depends on members stepping up to support one another, and we truly appreciate the interest, time, and commitment shown by all applicants.

Once these vacancies have been filled, Council 47 will publish a full list of Local Chairs and Committee Members so members know who is available to assist, support, and serve our LAX and SEA Flight Attendants.

Voter Registration & Information

As a reminder, the voter registration deadline for the California Primary Election is May 18, with Primary Election Day taking place on June 2. Members are encouraged to verify their voter registration status and ensure their information is up to date ahead of the deadline.

Additionally, ballots for the Oregon primaries have already started being mailed out, so Oregon voters should expect to receive them soon if they have not already.

AFA has also recently launched a voting resource page with information regarding the upcoming November midterm elections, including AFA-endorsed candidates organized by state. Members can access the page at: afacwa.org/vote

Mahalo,

Bruni Agosto-Pinal

Segment Drops Into Open Time

We would like to remind everyone that segment drops into Open Time are not permitted. While Flica is designed to catch these types of unpermitted drops, the process involves both automated and manual review. Because of this, there may be situations where a segment is successfully dropped into open time or becomes visible for pickup before Crew Scheduling identifies the issue.

Please be aware that even if the system initially allows the drop or pickup, Crew Scheduling may later take action to reverse the transaction once discovered. This can create unnecessary confusion and complications for all parties involved. To help avoid these situations, please do not drop segments into open time.

Additionally, if you see an individual segment sitting in open time, please do not pick it up, as it was placed there in error and will later be removed.

HNL Officer Elections

Some members may be aware that a local election is currently being conducted in Honolulu for Council 43. Council 43 members will be electing their Local Executive Council Officers consisting of LEC President, LEC Vice President, and LEC Secretary.

Los Angeles and Seattle based Flight Attendants are represented by Council 47 and are therefore not part of this election process. Council 47 members are currently represented by Local Officers Joshua Aoki — LEC President, Paul Ikioka — LEC Vice President, and Beth Hayes — LEC Secretary. Council 47 officer elections took place last year and operate on a different election cycle than Council 43.

Voting for the Council 43 elections will close on May 19.

Jumpseating at International Destinations

An issue was recently brought forward to the MEC regarding the new jumpseat procedures and international travel on Hawaiian metal. At some international stations, when a flight is full, boarding/standby passes are not issued at the check-in counters until a seat assignment is provided. This has created concerns under the new jumpseat process, as Flight Attendants are currently unable to receive their pass until 30 minutes prior to departure.

At certain international airports, this may not provide enough time to clear security screening and make it to the gate prior to departure. The company has been made aware of the concern and is currently working on a resolution.

The Importance of Email

Please know that one of the best ways to communicate with management is through email. Email communication creates documentation of the conversation, leaves less room for misinterpretation, and provides a timestamped record that may become important in the event of a future grievance or dispute.

When emailing management, we encourage Flight Attendants to remain professional and clearly explain the issue or concern without letting emotion drive the communication. Keeping emails factual, organized, and concise often leads to more productive outcomes.

We also encourage members to copy multiple members of management when appropriate to help increase visibility and awareness of the issue. Additionally, please consider copying your union representatives (47@afahawaiian.org) so AFA is aware of the concern and can help monitor patterns, provide guidance, and hold the company accountable when necessary.

If you are unsure how to address a situation, who to address your issues with or how to draft a response, please reach out to one of your local officers for assistance before sending the communication.

FADAP (Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program)